Japanese Woodblock Prints: Hokusai's Wave (Part 10)

Practice bold line work in this art lesson: japanese woodblock prints: hokusai's wave (part 10).

🎨 Studio Brief #80

Katsushika Hokusai created 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa,' one of the most famous images in art history.

🎯 Your mission

Copy a master to learn their secret. Then make it yours.

⚡ The twist

Look first, draw second. Don't peek twice.

What you'll learn

Katsushika Hokusai created 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa,' one of the most famous images in art history. Japanese woodblock prints use bold lines, flat colors, and dramatic compositions.

Get ready

Techniques you'll practise

bold line workflat colorukiyo-e style

You will need

Colored pencilsDrawing paperScissors

Step 1 of 3

Study Hokusai's wave. Notice the curling water, the tiny boats, and Mount Fuji in the background.

Step 2 of 3

Draw a wave-inspired scene with bold, flowing lines. Emphasize the curves and energy of water.

Step 3 of 3

Color with flat areas—no gradients within a single color area. Use blue, white, and touches of other colors.

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 The Sistine Chapel ceiling took Michelangelo 4 years — and he hated every minute.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 The *Mona Lisa* is smaller than you think — about the size of a serving tray.

You did it!

Next: Cave Paintings: The First Artists (Part 11)All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Project

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this: The next time you visit a museum (or look one up online), you'll see things others miss.

🏆 Try this week: Visit (or virtually tour) one museum this week.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “What's the most interesting piece of art you've seen this year?”

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Japanese Woodblock Prints: Hokusai's Wave (Part 10)

Techniques you'll practise

You will need

Next Smart Project

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Japanese Woodblock Prints: Hokusai's Wave (Part 10)

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